Phil Hanson, of the #22 United Autosports Oreca 07-Gibson LMP2, was thrilled with his first ever FIA World Endurance Championship pole position ahead of Sunday’s 6 Hours of Fuji.
For the sixth and penultimate round of the 2023 season, United Autosports’ Hanson claimed his maiden LMP2 pole position in qualifying earlier today, with a time of 1:32.182.
The 24-year-old has been with the Leeds-based team since 2018 where he competed in United’s first 24 Hours of Daytona, in addition to his first full-time European Le Mans Series campaign.
His first full WEC season with United Autosports marked his maiden WEC LMP2 title with teammates Filipe Albuquerque and current Peugeot Hypercar driver Paul di Resta.
“Really happy with pole position today, especially at Fuji where we haven’t been the strongest in the past,” Hanson reflected after the session.
“So to come here and be as competitive as we have been, and ultimately to put it on pole … and for me to be the one who did it … I’m incredibly grateful and very happy with the job I’ve done.
“I’ve got confidence in the car for tomorrow but with all the mixed conditions and lack of long running, I think there’s going to be a bit of learning.
“But I think we’ve got a good package, and starting from pole is the first piece of the puzzle to the ultimate reward at the end, which is our only goal and ambition tomorrow.”
LMP2 was a closely-matched field in qualifying, with the Vanwall Hypercar team starting behind them.
Moreover, such rivals as the #28 JOTA and the #41 Team WRT entries will be keen to grasp the lead off the #22, with a mixed array of conditions thus far in the race weekend.
The #22 crew of Phil Hanson, Filipe Albuquerque and Frederick Lubin will target the car’s second win after their first at the Sebring season-opener.
Sunday’s six-hour race will commence from 3 to 9 am UK time.
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